4-bar side canopy release

Abstract

A parachute canopy release assembly includes a frame assembly with first and second upstanding members. A latching member has a pivot end and a latch end, the pivot end pivotally coupled to a bottom portion of the first upstanding member. A riser bar has a pivot end and latch engaging end, the pivot end of the riser bar pivotally coupled to a top portion of the second upstanding member, the latch engaging end retained by the latch end of the latching member in the locked state. A release linkage assembly includes a lock member configured to transition from a first state to a second state, retain the latching member in a first position in the first, locked state and retain the latching member in a second position in the second, unlocked state.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A parachute canopy release assembly having a locked state and an unlocked state, the parachute canopy release assembly comprising:
 a frame assembly having a first upstanding member and a second upstanding member; 
 a latching member having a pivot end and a latch end, the pivot end of the latching member pivotally coupled to a bottom portion of the first upstanding member; 
 a riser bar having a pivot end and latch engaging end, the pivot end of the riser bar pivotally coupled to a top portion of the second upstanding member, the latch engaging end of the riser bar retained by the latch end of the latching member in the locked state; 
 a release linkage assembly including a lock member configured to transition from a first state to a second state, the lock member configured to retain the latching member in a first position in the first state of the lock member and retain the latching member in a second position in the second state of the lock member, the first position of the latching member corresponding to the locked state of the parachute canopy release assembly and the second position corresponding to the unlocked state; and 
 wherein the release linkage assembly comprises a follower link and a lock link member, a first end of the follower link pivotally coupled to a pivot point on the latch member and a second end of the follower link pivotally coupled to a first end of the lock link member, the lock link member engaging a first surface of the lock member in the first state of the lock member and a second surface of the lock member in the second state. 
 
     
     
       2. The parachute canopy release assembly of  claim 1 , comprising a cable having one end coupled to the lock member and configured to move the lock member from the first state to the second state when a force is applied to the cable. 
     
     
       3. The parachute canopy release assembly of  claim 2 , comprising a pull release extending from a front portion of the parachute canopy release assembly, the pull release coupled to the cable and configured to apply the force to the cable. 
     
     
       4. The parachute canopy release assembly of  claim 2 , comprising a pull release extending from a side portion of the parachute canopy release and pivotally coupled to the frame assembly, the pull release configured to apply the force to the cable. 
     
     
       5. The parachute canopy release assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the latch engaging end of the riser bar rotates from the locked state to the unlocked state. 
     
     
       6. The parachute canopy release assembly of  claim 1 , wherein movement of the lock member from the first state to the second state transitions the engagement of lock link member and the lock member from the first surface of the lock member to the second surface of the lock member, the coupling of the follower link to the lock link member causing the latch member to rotate and release the latch end of the riser bar from the latching member as the lock link member transitions from the first surface to the second surface. 
     
     
       7. The parachute canopy release of  claim 6 , comprising a cable coupled to the lock member, and a force on the cable generates the movement of the lock member from the first state to the second state. 
     
     
       8. The parachute canopy release assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the force is generated from a front of the parachute canopy release assembly or a side of the parachute canopy release assembly. 
     
     
       9. The parachute canopy release assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the latch engaging end of the riser bar includes an opening, the latch end of the latching member being retained within the opening in the locked state of the parachute canopy release assembly and wherein a rotation of the latching member moves the latch end of the latching member within the opening to release the latch engaging end of the riser bar from the latching member in the unlocked state of the parachute canopy release assembly. 
     
     
       10. The parachute canopy release assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the opening in the latch engaging portion of the riser bar comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first portion configured to engage the latch end of the latching member to retain the latch end within the opening, and a second portion configured to release the engagement of the latch end of the latching member from the opening. 
     
     
       11. The parachute canopy release assembly of  claim 9 , wherein a top end of the first upstanding member of the frame assembly includes an opening, the opening configured to receive the latch engaging end of the riser bar in the locked state of the parachute canopy release assembly.